hermeneutic hand <astrum-***@cox.net>:
# I'll be willing to go over, edit, review, comment, &c. on anything you
# all have. Just show me what you've got thus far. By the way, I have read
# most of the faq's that i've seen (at least most of tyaginator's).
http://www.luckymojo.com/faqs.html
has most of them ever created, including the Kreeeping OOozes! ;>
# Comments &c. are welcomed in this me first stab at a magic faq
# (coumposed 11 hours 23 September, 2004 e.v. die Jovis Autumnal Equinox
# Year IVxii of theleme), triadic in form:
fabulous! we can follow in the footsteps of alt.satanism!
# 0) Alpha FAQ for beginners: (everything from unresolved mysteries to
# admittedly trivial minutiae &c. leading up finally to Good QUESTIONS)
#
# Q: what is magic?
# A: magic is the unification of thought, speech, and action.
#
# Q: Is magic true?
# A: should it be? why? how do you know? exceptions? everywhere?
# magic semms true to the adept in illumination,
# magic seems false to the adept in illumination,
# magic seems both true and false to the adpet in illumination,
# magic seems neither true nor false to the adept in illumination.
#
# i sometimes supplement me most vexing or vital enquiries with related
# questions like:
# what leads you/me to believe this? Is it a necessary limitation? why?
LOL fabulous! it creates additional discussion and is therefore lovely.
# Q: Does magic work?
# A: define magic first. if it equals broomsticks and brandleberries, then
# you will get a broomstick answer.
brandleberries? as in wine?
# defining magic along the lines of will, one has an answer as quickly as
# one perceives the connection between will and actuality/ reality/ &c.
at least an apparent one. :>
# 1) Beta FAQ for level one enquirer: (minimal experience in the field,
# resolved to ask Better QUESTIONS)
I like the ALPHA/BETA FAQ level idea. it has great potential.
# Q: How does magic work?
# phenomenon including but not limited to 'the external universe.'
# the high mystery of True Will can be assumed to operate all necessary
# Q: Do I need to change the path I am on to work more effective magic?
# A: if things are scary now, what makes you think they will get any better?
# Generally this type of question means: can I have my cake and eat it
# too? If you bake the cake, no one can challenge your right to enjoy it
# as you will. if you refuse to bake the cake for yourself, you'd better
# get someone to do it for you that you trust.
let them bake cake!
# Q: Will I need to change the path I am on right now, later?
# A: the changes you embrace as part of a True Will must impact you,
# though /how/ it does is presumably not a formulaic thing.
# this type of question generally means: is there an escape route if
# things get too scary?
# Presumably your commitment and devotion to the Order of your True Will
# is the final arbiter in such matters. Get right with your True Will, and
# none shall say nay.
a clear harkening to the Problem of Evil.
# Q: How will I know if I have gone astray?
# A: none of your questions and concerns get properly answered or are
# addressed by your change in lifestyle, habit, viewpoint, &c.
# you've spent fourteen years on a project, are unhappy, in debt, and
# can't get a job to save your life. failure and defeat are eaten for
# breakfast by the Master. in such a case, <<prepare for the worst, hope
# for the best.>>
always my method.
# Q: What is the final goal?
# A: to think, speak, and act as you Truly Will, without diffusion or dualism.
you could expand this to the 8-fold Buddha-Path!
# Q: How can I measure success in magic?
# A: this is a difficult yardstick to erect since success seems
# universally varied and variable. designing, employing, and displaying
# repeatable results for a critical, objective observer seem ideally the
# highest and most critical lever. others may present themselves on the
# path inward. each has hir OWN gifts on thee path, each differing
# responsibilities, and presumably yardsticks for success.
excellent.
# Q: What is the best system of magic?
# A: the system that works for you, as <<success is your proof.>>
there's that 'works' word again.
# 2) Gamma FAQ for level two enquirer: (actual experience, eventually
# insisting on soliciting the Best QUESTIONS)
# Q: How can I make my own system of magic or truly integrate the art into
# my own being, and strike out on my own?
I don't remember this question coming too frequently, maybe I missed it.
# A: how did others do it? copy them, instituting reforms that address
# your new proposed universe. <<if you build it, they will coum.>>
LOL
# Q: How can I balance this with my professional/personal life outside magic?
# A: i don't know, are you /really/ an entertainer in your (he)art of
# he(arts)? become David Bowie. are you /really/ an educator? become Adam
# Weishaupt. and so for the rest of your (potentially) divided will.
beautiful.
# Q: How do I avoid burnout, boredom, &c. and continue thriving?
# A: if your magic is as naturally a part of you as a crossing gesture to
# a Catholic, it can't be taken away, much less argued with. Invoke often,
# enflaming thyself in prayer!
thanks. I will steal some of these queries for my Questions List,
which I will post again soon. :> I'm beginning to think that the
questions are much more important than the answers ever were. ;>
early on I was convinced by regular posters that the Query List should
not be used as a skeleton for the FAQ (because they thought that it
was too early to determine the most *frequently* asked queries and
wanted to leave more room for discussion). later, as the FAQ reduced
to the status of a Noise-Reducing Tool and other FAQs (such as mine,
and now HH's, along with the Shava-Josh FAQ revised by ZZ) made their
appearances to cover some of the territory I decided that it would be
quit a long time before I offered to construct that again.
that said, sri catyananda *did* construct a EL GIGANTE FAQ that
combined all the various answers to those queries presumed most
frequent and it may be found at the URL at the top of this post.
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/000.gigante.0910
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/000.gigante.1
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/000.gigante.908
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/001.gigante.0908
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/001.gigante.1
http://www.luckymojo.com/altmagickfaq/001.gigante.2
it deserves an edition of its own.
tyaginator